Exercise machine with furniture storage unit

ABSTRACT

An exercise system including a furniture unit having a frame, a substantially horizontal top member mounted on the frame, a pair of opposing side panels mounted on the frame, and a pair of opposing end panels mounted on the frame and extending between the side panels. The side panels, end panels and top member cooperate to define an interior volume. One of the end panels is pivotally coupled to the frame such that it pivots from a substantially vertically position away from the top member to a substantially horizontal position. A pole is pivotally coupled to the frame. The pole is disposed within the interior volume when the end panel is in the substantially vertical position. The pole extends from the interior volume and vertically upward when the end panel is in the substantially horizontal position. The exercise device includes at least one resistance band coupled to the pole.

PRIORITY REFERENCE

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/745,052, which was filed Apr. 18, 2006 in thename of Kim Laney and entitled Exercise Machine with Furniture StorageUnit.

BACKGROUND

The present novel technology relates to exercise equipment and, moreparticularly, stowable exercise equipment.

There is no doubt that exercise positively affects the physical, mentaland emotional health of a person. The motivation to lead a healthierlifestyle has driven many people to join gyms, fitness facilities andhealth clubs. However, member of these facilities are at the mercy ofthe operating hours of the facility. The members must workout during thehours which the facility is open. In addition, a member may have to waitto use the exercise machine they wish to use. In addition, in manycases, the member must drive a significant distance to get to thefacility and may have difficulty securing child care during theirworkout.

Due to these inconveniences, many choose to purchase in-home fitnessequipment. Such equipment is placed in the person's home and may be usedat the owner's convenience. Unfortunately, such fitness equipment can belarge and bulky, making it difficult for those with small homes to ownsuch equipment. For this reason, folding fitness equipment has beendeveloped, such as folding rowing machines, folding treadmills and otherfolding devices. However, these devices still require a significantamount of storage room. Folding treadmills typically fold upright. And,while such folding treadmills may conserve some floor space, they are anunsightly, useless mechanical structure that still consumes considerablespace when not in use. A need remains for an exercise machine that mayserve as an aesthetically pleasing and functional furniture unit whennot in use. The present novel technology addresses this need.

SUMMARY

The present novel technology provides an exercise system that isconveniently stowed in an aesthetically pleasing, functional furnitureunit. In one particular aspect, the present novel technology provides anexercise system including a furniture unit comprising a frame, asubstantially horizontal top member mounted on the frame, a pair ofopposing side panels mounted on the frame and extending downward fromthe top member, and a pair of opposing end panels mounted on the frameand extending between the side panels and downward from the top member.The side panels, end panels and top member cooperate to define aninterior volume. At least one of the end panels is pivotally coupled tothe frame such that the at least one end panel pivots from asubstantially vertically position away from the top member to asubstantially horizontal position. An exercise device is storable withinthe interior volume and includes a pole pivotally coupled to the frame.The pole is disposed within the interior volume when the at least oneend panel is in the substantially vertical position. The pole extendsfrom the interior volume and vertically upward when the at least one endpanel is in the substantially horizontal position. The exercise deviceincludes at least one resistance band coupled to the pole.

In another aspect, the present novel technology provides an exercisefurniture system including a furniture unit comprising a frame and firstand second housing members mounted on the frame. Each of the first andsecond housing members includes a top member, a pair of opposing sidepanels extending downward from the top member and an end panel extendingbetween the opposing side panels. The top member, the side panels andthe end panel cooperate to form an interior volume in each of the firstand second housing members. An exercise device is disposed within theinterior volume of the second housing member. The exercise deviceincludes a resistance band coupled to an interior surface of the endpanel of the second housing member. The frame is expandable from a firstcompact position, wherein the first and second housing members abut oneanother to form a single furniture unit, to a second extended position,wherein the first and second housing members are spaced apart from oneanother. The first housing member is slidably mounted on the frame suchthat the first housing member is slidable toward and away from thesecond housing member when the frame is in the extended position. Thetop member of the second housing is pivotal between a closed position.wherein the top member is in a substantially horizontal position, and anopened position, wherein the top member is in a substantially verticalposition and the resistance band is accessible.

In yet another aspect, the present novel technology provides an exercisesystem including a furniture unit comprising a frame, a substantiallyhorizontal top member mounted on the frame, a pair of opposing sidepanels mounted on the frame and extending between the side panels. Theside panels, end panels and top member cooperate to define an interiorvolume. At least one of the end panels is pivotally coupled to the framesuch that the at least one end panel pivots between a closed position,wherein the at least one end panel extends substantially downward fromthe top member enclosing the interior volume, an open position, whereinthe at least one panel is pivoted away from the top member to asubstantially horizontal position exposing the interior volume. Anexercise device is coupled to the interior surface of the at least oneend panel such that the exercise device is disposed within the interiorvolume when the end panel is in the closed position and is exposed whenthe end panel is in the open position.

It is one object of the present novel technology to provide an improvedexercise system. Other objects will be apparent from the followingdescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features and objects of this noveltechnology, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparentand the novel technology itself will be better understood by referenceto the following description of an embodiment of the novel technologytaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is perspective view of an exercise machine furniture storageunit in accordance with one embodiment of the present novel technology,wherein the unit is in the closed position;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the exercise machine furniture storageunit of FIG. 1A, wherein the unit is in a partially opened position;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the exercise machine furniture storageunit of FIG. 1A, wherein the unit is in an opened position;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an exercise machine furniture storageunit in accordance with another embodiment of the present noveltechnology, wherein the unit is in the closed position;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the exercise machine furniture storageunit of FIG. 2A, wherein the unit is in an opened position;

FIG. 2C is a side view of the exercise machine furniture storage unit ofFIG. 2A wherein the unit is in an opened position;

FIG. 3 illustrates side views of a locking mechanism of the exercisemachine furniture storage unit of FIG. 2A in both locked and unlockedpositions;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hook and ring of the exercise machinefurniture storage unit of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the exercise machine furniture storageunit of FIG. 2A, wherein the unit is in an opened position and theresistance straps are positioned for lateral pull and other exercises;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the exercise machine furniture storageunit of FIG. 2A, wherein the unit is in an opened position and theresistance straps are positioned for lateral row and other exercises;

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the exercise machine furniture storageunit of FIG. 2A, wherein the unit is in an opened position and theresistance straps are positioned for bicep curl, leg extension,hamstring curl and other exercises;

FIG. 5D is a perspective view of the exercise machine furniture storageunit of FIG. 2A, wherein the unit is in an opened position and theresistance straps are positioned for bench press, incline press andother exercises;

Fig. 5E is a perspective view of the exercise machine furniture storageunit of FIG. 2A, wherein the unit is in an opened position and theresistance straps are positioned for chest butterfly and otherexercises;

FIG. 5F is a perspective view of the exercise machine furniture storageunit of FIG. 2A, wherein the unit is in an opened position and theresistance straps are positioned for tricep curl, abdominal crunch andother exercises;

FIG. 5G is a perspective view of the exercise machine furniture storageunit of FIG. 2A, wherein the unit is in an opened position and theresidence straps are positioned for oblique side pull and otherexercises;

FIG. 5H is a perspective view of the exercise machine furniture storageunit of FIG. 2A, wherein the unit is in an opened position and theresistance straps are positioned for bent lateral pull and otherexercises;

FIG. 5I is a perspective view of the exercise machine furniture storageunit of FIG. 2A, wherein the unit is in an opened position and theresistance straps are positioned for leg squats, military press andother exercises;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an exercise machine furniture storageunit in accordance with another embodiment of the present noveltechnology, wherein the unit is in the closed position; and

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the exercise machine furniture storageunit of FIG. 6A, wherein the unit is in the closed position.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. Although the drawings representembodiments of the present novel technology, the drawings are notnecessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order tobetter illustrate and explain the present novel technology. Although theexemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the noveltechnology, in several forms, the embodiments disclosed below are notintended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope ofthe novel technology to the precise forms disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments hereinafter disclosed are not intended to be exhaustiveor limit the novel technology to the precise forms disclosed in thefollowing description. Rather the embodiments are chosen and describedso that others skilled in the art may utilize its teachings.

Referring first to FIGS. 1A-1C, exercise machine furniture storagesystem 10, in accordance with one embodiment of the present noveltechnology is shown. System 10 generally includes storage unit orhousing 12, frame 14 and exercise device 41. Frame 14 includes firstframe member 16, second frame member 18 and connector member 20 couplingfirst and second frame members 14, 16. Connector member 20 is in theform of a rail, and first and second frame members 14, 16 are slidablycoupled to, and partially disposed within this rail-like connectormember 20. Frame 14 also includes support bars 48, which are coupled toconnector member 20. First frame member 14, second frame member 16 andconnector member 20 include holes 21, which are configured to receivepin 22, as described in more detail below.

Referring still to FIGS. 1A-1C, housing 12 includes first slidinghousing member 26 and second stationary housing member 24, each mountedon frame 14. More particularly, first housing member 26 is mounted onfirst frame member 16 and second housing member 24 is mounted on secondframe member 18. As is discussed in further detail below, first slidinghousing member 26 is slidably mounted on first frame member 16. Firsthousing member 26 includes a plurality of wheels 30, while first framemember 16 includes track portion 28. Wheels 30 are configured to rollalong track portion 28 to slidably mount first housing member 26 onfirst frame member 16. Each of the second and first housing members 24,26 respectively includes top panel 32 a, 32 b, first and second opposingside panels 36 a, 36 b and 38 a extending downward from top panel 32 a,32 b and end panel 34 a, 34 b extending between the opposing sidepanels. Top panel 32 a, 32 b, side panels 36 a, 36 b, 38 a and end panel34 a, 34 b cooperate to form an interior volume in each of second andfirst housing members 24, 26. As shown in FIG. 1C, top panel 32 a ofsecond housing 24 is pivotably attached to end panel 34 a by hinge 46.Top panel 32 a is pivotable between a closed position (FIG. 1B), whereinthe top member is in a substantially horizontal position, and an openedposition (FIG. 1C), wherein the top member is in a substantiallyvertical position and the interior volume is accessible.

As is illustrated by FIGS. 1B-1C, frame 14 is expandable from a firstcompact position, shown in FIG. 1B, to a second extended position, shownin FIG. 1C. In the first compact position, the first and second housingmembers 26, 24 abut one another to form a single furniture unit. In thesecond extended position, the first and second housing members 26, 24are spaced apart from one another. As discussed above, the first housingmember 26 is slidably mounted on first frame member 16. Accordingly, thefirst housing member 26 is slidable toward and away from the secondhousing member 24 when the frame 14 is in the extended position.

Turning to FIG. 1C, exercise device 41 includes ring 40 mounted to theinterior surface of end panel 34 a. Exercise device 41 also includesrowing straps 42 removably coupled to ring 50. Each of rowing straps 42includes handles 44. Exercise device 41 may also, or alternatively,include elastic resistance hands attachable to ring 40 and usable forresistance training. Exercise device may also take other forms such as arigid T-shaped rowing bar.

In operation, when frame 14 is in the compact position shown in FIG. 1A,first and second housing members 26, 24 abut one another to form asingle furniture unit, which may serve as a seating bench, ottoman ortable. Top portions 32 a, 32 b may be cushioned for comfort. In thiscompact position, exercise device 41 is concealed within the interiorvolumes of first and second housing members 26, 24 and system 10 appearsto be an attractive furniture unit.

When the user desires to use the exercise device 41, pin 22 is pulledfrom holes 21, thereby releasing first and second frame members 16, 28and allowing them to slide relative to connector member 20. As shown inFIG. 1B, housing members 24, 26 are pulled in the direction of thearrows, thereby causing first and second frame members 16, 18 to slideto the extended position relative to connector member 20. Pin 22 isplaced in holes 20 of connector member 20 to lock frame 14 in theextended position. Next, top panel 32 a of second housing member 26 ispivoted upward to the position shown in FIG. 1C, thereby revealingexercise device 41. The user may then sit on top panel 32 b of housingmember 26 and grab handles 44 of rowing straps 42. Bracing his/her feetagainst support bars 48, the user may proceed with a rowing action. Tofacilitate this rowing exercise, wheels 30 frame member 26 roll alongtrack 28 causing housing member 26 to slide along first frame member 16.When finished, the user pivets top panel 32 a down, pulls pins 22 fromconnector member 20 and slides housing members 24, 26 and correspondingframe members 18, 16 toward one another. To lock system 10 in thisposition, pin holes 21 of frame members 16, 18 are aligned with pinholes in the connector member 20 and pins 22 are inserting into holes 21of connector 20.

Turning now to FIGS. 2A-2C, exercise machine furniture storage system110, in accordance with another embodiment of the present noveltechnology will now be described. System 110 generally includes housing112, frame 114, and exercise device 137. Frame 114 includes uppersupport 115, legs 116 extending downwardly from upper support 115, andlower bracket 118 extending between legs 115.

Housing 112 includes a substantially horizontal top member 132 mountedon upper support 115 of frame 114, pair of opposing side panels 136 a,136 b mounted on bracket 118 of frame 114 and extending downward fromtop member 132, and a pair of opposing end panels 134 a, 134 b mountedon bracket 118 of frame 114 and extending between side panels 136 a, 136b and downward from top member 132. Side panels 136 a, 136 b, end panels134 a , 134 b and top member 132 cooperate to define an interior volume.Each of panels 134 a-b, 136 a-b includes handle 143. Each of end panels134 a, 134 b are pivotally coupled to frame 114 such that end panels 134a, 134 b are pivotable from a substantially vertical position (FIG. 2A)away from top member 132 to a substantially horizontal position, asillustrated in FIG. 2B. Each of side panels 136 a, 136 b are alsopivotable away from top member 132 to a substantially horizontalposition, as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

Each of side panels 136 a, 136 b and end panels 134 a, 134 b arepivotably coupled to lower bracket 118 of frame 114 by locking member148. Locking member 148, as shown in more detail in FIG. 3, includespanel connector arm 148 a, frame connector arm 148 b, hinge 148 ccoupling panel connector arm 148 a to frame connector arm 148 b, andslide lock 148 d slidingly mounted about arm 148 a. Each of arms 148 a,148 b has mounting bracket 150 pivotably mounted to its end. Mountingbracket 150 is adapted to mount the end of arms 148 a, 148 b to panels134 a-b, 136 a-b and lower frame bracket 118, respectively. In theunlocked position shown in FIG. 3, arms 148 a, 148 b are free to pivotabout hinge 148 c and, therefore permit panels 134 a-b, 136 a-b to pivotupward to the vertical/closed position shown in FIG. 2A. In the lockedposition shown in FIG. 3, lock 148 d is positioned over hinge 148,thereby preventing arms 148 a. 148 b from pivoting and locking panels134 a-b, 136 a-b in the horizontal position shown in FIG. 2B.

Turning to FIGS. 2B, 2C and 4, the exercise device includes telescopingpole 138, which is pivotably attached to lower bracket 118 of frame 114.Pole 138 is stowed within the interior volume when end panel 134 a is inthe substantially vertical position shown in FIG. 2A. When end panel 134a is pivoted to the horizontal position shown in FIG. 2B, pole 138 maybe telescoped to extend outwardly from the interior volume and may bepivoted upward to the vertical position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2B-2C.The exercise device also includes a plurality of rings 140 mounted onpole 138. Rings 140 may also be mounted to the interior surfaces ofpanels 134 b, 136 a, 136 b. The exercise device also includes elasticresistance bands 142 having handles 144 at one end and a hook 141 at theopposite end, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5A. Hook 141 serves toremovably couple band 142 to ring 140.

In use, panels 134 a-134 a-b, 136 a-b are pivoted from the verticalposition shown in FIG. 2A to the horizontal position shown in FIG. 2B.To secure panels 134 a-b, 136 a-b in the horizontal position, lock 148 dof locking member 148 is slid from the unlocked position to the lockedposition, as shown in FIG. 3. Pole 138 is then telescoped outwardly fromthe interior volume and is pivoted upright to the vertical positionshown in FIGS. 2B-2C. Pin 139 may be used to lock pole 138 in thetelescoped position. Then, hook 141 is used to attached resistance band142 to one of rings 140, as shown in FIG. 5A. The user then sits or lieson top panel 132 and pulls handles 144 of resistance bands 142 toachieve a resistance workout. When workout is complete, the user simplyslides lock 148 d to the unlocked position, shown in FIG. 3 and pivotspanels 134 a-b, 136 a-b to the upright and closed position. To maintainpanels 134 a-b, 136 a-b in the upright position shown in FIG. 2A, anylocking device, such as a snap, press fit, magnetic or spring loadeddevice may be employed. In this closed position, shown in FIG. 2 a,system 110 appears to be a aesthetically pleasing furniture unit such asa bench or ottoman.

Referring to FIG. 2C, top panel 132 includes seat back portion 145,which is pivotally coupled to frame 114 by support member 146. Supportmember 146 is hingedly coupled to frame 114 at one end and to seat backportion 145 at the opposite end. Seat back portion 145 may be pivotedfrom a horizontal position to an angled position relative to frame 114,wherein seat back portion 145 may support a user's back during certainexercises. Support member 146 may be locked in the supporting positionshown in FIG. 2C using any means including a pin and hole arrangement(not shown) as is known in the art.

FIGS. 5A-5I illustrate the versatility of system 110 and how resistancebands 142 may be positioned in a variety of arrangements to achievedifferent training goals. For instance, as shown in FIG. 5A, resistancebands 142 are coupled to ring 140 high on pole 138 such that bands 142are positioned for doing lateral pull, flat bicep curls, overhead tricepcurls and other exercises. In FIG. 5B resistance bands 142 are coupledto ring 140 lower on pole 138 such that bands 142 are positioned fordoing lateral row, overhead flat lateral pulls and other exercises. InFIG. 5C resistance hands 142 are coupled to ring 140 on end panel 134 bsuch that bands 142 are positioned for doing for bicep curl, legextension, hamstring curl and other exercises. In FIG. 5D resistancebands 142 are coupled to rings 140 on panels 136 a, 136 b such thatbands 142 are positioned for doing bench press, incline press and otherexercise. As shown in FIG. 5E resistance bands 142 may be threadedthrough rings 140 b and coupled to rings 140 a on panels 136 a, 136 bsuch that bands 142 are positioned for doing chest butterfly and otherexercises. In FIG. 5F, resistance bands 142 are coupled to ring 140 lowon pole 138 such that bands 142 are positioned for doing for tricepcurl, abdominal crunch and other exercises. In FIG. 5G, resistance bands142 are coupled to ring 140 on panels 136 a, 136 b such that bands 142are resistance bands 142 are coupled to ring 140 on panels 136 a, 136 bsuch that bands 142 are positioned for doing for oblique side pull andother exercises. As shown in FIG. 5H, resistance bands 142 may becoupled to rings 140 high on panels 136 a, 136 b such that bands 142 arepositioned for doing bent lateral pull and other exercises. Finally, asshown in FIG. 5I, resistance bands 142 are coupled to rings 140 on panel136 a such that bands 142 are positioned for doing leg squats, militarypress and other exercises.

Although the embodiments described thus far incorporate an exercisedevice for rowing and resistance training, other types of exercisedevices may be used. For instance, FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate exercisemachine furniture storage system 210 that is adapted to operate similarto a stationary bicycle. Exercise system 210 generally includes housing212, frame 214, and exercise device 246. Housing 212 is mounted on frame214 and includes top panel 232, opposing end panels 234 a, 234 bextending downwardly from top panel 232, and opposing side panels 236extending between end panels 234. Panels 232, 234 a-b and 236 cooperateto define an interior volume. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, top panel 232includes right portion 232 a, left portion 232 b and center portion 232c disposed between right and left portions 232 a, 232 b. Center portion232 c is pivotally attached to frame 214 such that center portion 232 cpivots up to a substantially vertical position. Frame 214 includes seat216, which is concealed by center portion 232 c when center portion 232c is in the horizontal position shown in FIG. 6A, and is exposed andaccessible when center portion 232 c is in the substantially verticalposition shown in FIG. 6B. Right and left portions 232 a, 232 b may alsobe adapted to pivot from the horizontal position shown in FIG. 6A to thesubstantially vertical position shown in FIG. 6B. In the substantiallyvertical position, right and left portions 232 a, 232 b permit access tothe interior volume.

As illustrated in FIG. 6B, side panel 236 is pivotally attached to frame214 such that side panel 236 may be pivoted from the substantiallyvertical position shown in FIG. 6A to the substantially horizontalposition shown in FIG. 6B. Exercise device 246 is pivotally coupled tothe interior surface of side panel 236 and generally includes pedals 246a, shaft 246 b rotatably supporting pedals 246 a, hinge 246 c pivotallycoupling shaft 246 b to side panel 236, and friction adjustment knob 246d coupled to shaft 246 b and adapted to adjust the friction of rotatingpedals 246 a. Exercise device 246 may also include a pair of telescopingrowing bars 240 pivotally attached to the interior surface of end panels234 a, 234 b. Rowing bars 240 telescope to extend outside of interiorvolume when right and left portions 232 a, 232 b are in the verticalposition. To provide resistance to rowing bars 240, rowing bars 240 maybe coupled to end panels 234 a, 234 b by torsion spring 240. Exercisedevice 246 may be mechanical or may be power assisted such as knownstationary bicycle devices. Exercise device 246 may also includeelectronic interface 242 mounted to the interior surface of rightportion 232 a. Electronic interface 242 may be adapted to display onscreen 242 a information relating to the user's workout, such ascalories burned, distance traveled, etc. Data entry device 242 b may beused to enter information into electronic interface 242 such asuser'weight, desired workout time, workout program, etc.

While this novel technology has been described as having an exemplarydesign, the present novel technology may be further modified within thespirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is thereforeintended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the noveltechnology using its general principles. Further, this application isintended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as comewithin known or customary practice in the art to which this noveltechnology pertains.

1. An exercise system comprising: a furniture unit comprising a frame, asubstantially horizontal top member mounted on the frame, a pair ofopposing side panels mounted on the frame and extending downward fromthe top member, and a pair of opposing end panels mounted on the frameand extending between the side panels and downward from the top member;the side panels, end panels and top member cooperating to define aninterior volume, at least one of the end panels being pivotally coupledto the frame such that the at least one end panel pivots from asubstantially vertically position away from the top member to asubstantially horizontal position; and an exercise device including apole pivotally coupled to the frame, the pole being disposed within theinterior volume when the at least one end panel is in the substantiallyvertical position, the pole extending from the interior volume andvertically upward when the at least one end panel is in thesubstantially horizontal position, the exercise device including atleast one resistance band coupled to the pole.
 2. The exercise system ofclaim 2 wherein the pole includes a plurality of pole rings verticallyspaced from one another and wherein the resistance band includes a hook,the hook releasably engaged to one of the plurality of pole rings toreleasably engage the resistance band to the pole.
 3. The exercisesystem of claim 3 wherein at least one of the side panels is pivotallycoupled to the frame such that the at least one side panel pivots awayfrom the top member to a substantially horizontal position, and the atleast one side panel includes at least one panel ring, the hook of theresistance band releasably engageable to the at least one panel ring toreleasably engage the resistance band to the side panel.
 4. The exercisesystem of claim 3 wherein the other of the pair of end panels ispivotally coupled to the frame such that the other of the pair of endpanels pivots away from the top member to a substantially horizontalposition and the at other of the pair of end panels includes at leastone end ring, the hook of the resistance band releasably engageable tothe at least one end ring to releasably engage the resistance band tothe other of the pair of end panels.
 5. The exercise system of claim 1wherein the pole is removably coupled to end panel.
 6. The exercisesystem of claim 1 wherein the pole is telescoping.
 7. The exercisesystem of claim 1 wherein the pole is pivotally attached to the at leastone end panel.
 8. The exercise system of claim 1 further including alocking device engaged to the at least one end panel and having a lockedposition, wherein the at least one end panel is locked in thesubstantially locked position, and an unlocked position, wherein the atleast one end panel is pivotal.
 9. The exercise system of claim 1wherein top member is in the form of a bench top upon which a person maysit.
 10. The exercise system of claim 9 wherein the top member includesa pivoting section, the pivoting section pivotal relative to the frame.11. An exercise furniture system comprising: a furniture unit comprisinga frame and first and second housing members mounted on the frame, eachof the first and second housing members including a top member, a pairof opposing side panels extending downward from the top member and anend panel extending between the opposing side panels; the top member,the side panels and the end panel cooperating to form an interior volumein each of the first and second housing members; and an exercise devicedisposed within the interior volume of the second housing member, theexercise device including a resistance band coupled to an interiorsurface of the end panel of the second housing member, wherein the frameis expandable from a first compact position, wherein the first andsecond housing members abut one another to form a single furniture unit,to a second extended position, wherein the first and second housingmembers are spaced apart from one another, the first housing memberbeing slidably mounted on the frame such that the first housing memberis slidable toward and away from the second housing member when theframe is in the extended position; and wherein the top member of thesecond housing is pivotal between a closed position, wherein the topmember is in a substantially horizontal position, and an openedposition, wherein the top member is in a substantially vertical positionand the resistance band is accessible.
 12. The exercise furniture systemof claim 11 wherein the resistance band includes a hook, and wherein aring is coupled to the interior surface of the end panel of the secondhousing member, the hook is releasably engaged to the ring to removablycouple the resistance band to the end panel of the second housingmember.
 13. The exercise furniture system of claim 11 wherein the topmember of each of first and second housing members join to form a paddedbench when the frame is in the first compact position.
 14. The exercisefurniture system of claim 11 wherein the frame includes a first framemember, a second frame member and a connector member coupling the firstframe member to the second frame member, said first and second framemembers slideable within the connector member.
 15. The exercisefurniture system of claim 11 wherein the connector member includes aplurality of holes extending therethrough, each of the plurality ofholes configured to receive a pin, the pin restricting the sliding offirst and second frame members relative to the connector member.
 16. Theexercise furniture system of claim 11 wherein one of the first housingmember and the frame includes a plurality of wheels, and the other offirst housing member and frame includes a track portion, the pluralityof wheels configured to roll along the track portion.
 17. An exercisesystem comprising: a furniture unit comprising a frame, a substantiallyhorizontal top member mounted on the frame, a pair of opposing sidepanels mounted on the frame and extending downward from the top member,and a pair of opposing end panels mounted on the frame and extendingbetween the side panels; the side panels, end panels and top membercooperating to define an interior volume, at least one of the end panelsbeing pivotally coupled to the frame such that the at least one endpanel pivots between a closed position, wherein the at least one endpanel extends substantially downward from the top member enclosing theinterior volume, and an open position, wherein the at least one panel ispivoted away from the top member to a substantially horizontal positionexposing the interior volume; and an exercise device coupled to theinterior surface of the at least one end panel such that the exercisedevice is disposed within the interior volume when the end panel is inthe closed position and is exposed when the end panel is in the openposition.
 18. The exercise system of claim 17, wherein the exercisedevice includes a pole coupled to the at least one end panel, the poleextends vertically upward from the at least one end panel when the atleast one end panel is in the substantially horizontal position, theexercise device including at least one resistance band coupled to thepole.
 19. The exercise system of claim 17 wherein the exercise deviceincludes a rotating crank assembly.
 20. The exercise system of claim 19wherein the crank assembly includes a friction adjustment device. 21.The exercise system of claim 19 wherein a seat is mounted to the frame,the top member includes center portion, the seat is disposed justbeneath the center portion, the center portion is pivotable from asubstantially horizontal position to a substantial vertical position,wherein the seat is exposed when the center portion is pivoted to thesubstantially vertical position.
 22. The exercise system of claim 21further comprising a pair of telescoping rowing bars hingedly coupled tothe interior surface of the opposing side panels.
 23. The exercisesystem of claim 21 wherein the top member includes left and rightportions positioned on opposite sides of the center portion, the leftand right portions pivotable to an upright position to allow access tothe rowing bars.